Week 1 - Getting Ready for the Holidays

Alert!  We are just under 13 weeks until Christmas!  Can you believe it!  So much to between now and then.  Don't worry if you do alittle each week, it won't seem so bad.  So each week I'll be posting about what I'm doing to help you get organized.  By now you should have made your binder.  See how here.  That is the best and first thing you should do to get yourself organized.

For me it's easier to plan and decorate if I pick and theme and stick with it.  This year I decided I picked blue & silver, with snowflakes for the theme.  Last year, my theme was crafty and I used a pastel theme and centered the decorations and stationery around Christmas trees.  But, I love snowflakes and since it's already so cold, I figured it would be good for this year.

This my niece modeling one of the bags I made.



Cards

Get your card list out and decide who you are sending to this year to get a count.  I have a simple rule, if I have sent you a card for 3 years in a row, and if you haven't sent one back, you are off the list.  I keep mine in spreadsheet from with columns for each. We are doing a photo card this year, and I'm having issues trying to pick out a picture, so that is definitely on top of my to do list. 

What about this one?

 
Baking

The stores have already started organizing their baking sections.  It's time now to determine what and how much of each that you are going to make.  Again, this is another item on your list that can be tracked by spreadsheet.  This is also a great time to try those new cookies that you have been thinking about making this year.

Crafts

What do you need/want to make?  What supplies will you need.  This is a great time to start shopping for materials.  All the craft stores are running great sales!  Plus, you can get those crafts done way before it is time to start decorating.

Gifts

Create another spreadsheet (your computer will be your best friend) listing each person, and what you would like to get each them (it's okay if you don't know yet.)  Create wish lists on your favorite shopping sites for the items you have on your list, check them weekly to make sure that you don't miss a great price.

I know that this seems like alot, but we are in this together!

Later~
Cyn

Week in Review

What an interesting week this one was.  Too many ups and downs, it was like a roller coaster.  It's hard to be happy for new opportunities when it comes at the expense of others.  Life is starting to get back to normal, today is the last day that we have anything on the calendar until Thanksgiving!  I do realize that will not last, but I'm going to enjoy the next couple of weeks at home getting reorganized and ready for the holidays.

Did you have alot of tomatoes this summer?  We ended up with alot.  We are burned out on fresh salads and BLTs.  So last night I took our remaining tomatoes, diced them, cooked them, and put them in the freezer.  These will come in handy in a couple of weeks when I make that first batch of chili.

Baby shower!  My new office has really gone out of the way to make me feel like I belong.  Friday was pot luck day and a baby shower for one of the girls in the office.  She is literally the nicest person I have ever met.  I put together this gift too easy..alittle bit of tulle and a gift bag and it's good to go..

Things I've learned this week.

Have you ever had to miss a big football game to go to a wedding?  I think that this has happened to all of us.  Share the misery at this site that I found this week.  My compliant was about being a bridesmaid on OSU v. MI weekend.  Some of these are really funny...Check it out at fallweddingssuck.com you will get a good laugh out of it.

I also learned this week, that so times people get what they ask for, but then realize it was not what they thought it was going to be. 

So have a good weekend, I'll catch you on Monday!

Later~
Cyn

My DVR runneth over...

I love fall premier week.  It makes the week so much easier at work when you can come home to new TV. 

What's New that I like so far...

'Up all Night' - I was crying at the end of this one, thought it was great.  I liked everything about it.

'2 Broke Girls' - The only part I didn't like was the horse in the back yard.  Other than that I like it so far, let's hope they can keep it up.

What I'm not sure about is 'New Girl' - I generally like everything that Zooey Deschanel does, but I just didn't like the 1st episode.  I felt that the 'douchbag jar' should have more dollar bills in by the end.  I will give it another shot next week, but at this point I don't think it's going to make the cut, at least for me.

Everything old is new again....

I'm cannot wait for some of the season premiers of my favorite shows.

'The Middle' - Tonight (full hour) I love this show, it reminds me of my sister who lives outside of Indianapolis, who has a husband who is a big Colts fan, 2 kids that run cross country and a kid in braces.  I imagine this is how their life is sometimes.

'Modern Family' - Tonight (full hour) - Two words.  Dude Ranch.

'Harry's Law' - Tonight.  Jean Smart joins the cast.  Woo Hoo...

'The Big Bang Theory' - Thursday night (2 new in a row) - what is going on with Raj and Penny?  How will this effect Sheldon?  Cannot wait to find out.

'Parks and Recreation' - Thursday night. Leslie for Mayor?

So far the shows that I have had there premiers have been great.

'Sons of Anarchy' - Tuesday Nights.  This has been on for a couple of weeks, SAMCRO is out of the pen, Jax has shorter hair, and it is starting to get really good.

'Two and a Half Men' - Monday Nights.  I tweeted on Monday while watching it that I hoped Charlie Sheen wouldn't be mad at me for liking it.  I thought it was funny, the funeral was good, Rose & Berta were funny.  I did however feel that Chuck Lorre got his two sense worth of the Charlie bashing jokes, let's hope that next week there is less of that and even more laughs.

What I've Missed...

Our DVR is filling up fast.  These are the shows I have recorded but haven't had a chance to watch yet.

'The Playboy Club' - I love the sixties and shows (think Mad Men) that revolve around that time period, so there is a good chance that I will enjoy this.  I just have to find some time to watch.

'Hawaii 5-0' - I watched this last season, and I liked it for the most part.  I'm not sure why all the actors who were on Lost are joining (or guest starring) on this show (maybe they are all still living in Hawaii) but they will really hook me if they can get Matthew Fox to join.

'Raising Hope' - I need to find this on-line (there was an issue with the DVR and someone thinking the marathon of 'Hardcore Pawn' was more important, I will leave it at that.)  This was the best new show last year in my opinion, and from what I have seen last night was hilarious.

What I going to try this week..

"Revenge' - Tonight.  Another Hamptons who did it I think.  We will see.

'Pan Am' - Sunday night.  Again, it goes back to loving the sixties.  Hope this holds up.

So, in your opinion, what has been the greatest new show so far this year?  The greatest disappointment?  What are you looking forward to watching?  I'm I missing something good?  Be the first to let me know by leaving me a comment below. 

Later~

Cyn

15 things...Nascar Edition

As many of you know Hubby and I are big race fans (yep, we like to watch cars go around in circle) and this was our big weekend when the race comes to our home track Chicagoland Speedway.  The weather was completely uncooperative on Sunday.  They are racing today, but I will be watching, and listening to the scanner, from my nice warm dry living room.  So below are the 15 things we will remember from our 2011 race weekend.

15.  This guy, must have lost a bet (at least I hope he did.)

Isn't he pretty?


14.  You cannot be a pretty princess about porto potties if you are going to have the large coffee at McDonald's.

13.  Sometimes, after you have been walking around the rain for hours, you just have to give up and go home, no matter how much you don't want to give up.

12.  Trevor Bayne, Jeff Burton and David Reuitmann are class acts, they signed autographs for everyone when they were walking to the starting grid for qualifying, you could learn something from them Jamie McMurray (walked past twice, never made eye contact with anyone.)

11. Going to 'tweet-ups' can be awkward at first by they turn out kinda fun. 

10.  It is possible for my Hubby to go to a race without buying a die cast car.  The only catch is you have to take him to Charlotte two months earlier and let him buy two.

9.  Just like in real life, you cannot believe everything you hear about drivers, some people just like to make themselves out to be something they are most definitely not.

8.  Landon Cassil is the cutest thing in the world.  He is so tiny I think he could fit in your pocket.

 


7. You make your ticket price back in free stuff.  This is just some of it.  Cat not included (I pay dearly for him)

6.  No one can have too many free drink coozies (we got 9 this year)

5.  If you are one of those 'rain tires' people, you need to hear Greg Biffle tell his story from when he hydroplaned in Montreal going 175 mph - it may just change your mind.

4.  I have it in me to rip a Denny Hamlin sirt out of the hands of a woman in a poncho, in my defense I had most of the shirt in my hands.

3.  Denny Hamlin is a cool drink of water.

2.  NASCAR fans are like a family, when you pull in next to someone, you are instant friends.  At Chicagoland all of us bond mostly over the crappy parking and the hostile parking attendants.

1.  Although watching the race is fun, it is more about spending time together, and even though the weather was a bummer, we laughed and laughed all weekend, and had a great time.

Have a great week!

Later~
Cyn

Play Along at Home and Win!!!

It is no secret that I love to watch TV.  I have since I was a little girl.  I wake up to the news in the morning, and fall asleep to SportsCenter at night.   So, this is a big week for me, the Emmy's are on Sunday night!  I always like to do a 'play along at home' ballot, and while I enjoy that I thought it would be fun to get others to play to.  So, I'm running my first ever contest!

The Prize

So let's get to the good stuff first, because this is a self sponsored contest, I figured I would give away a few of my favorite things. 

Includes:

$10 itunes gift card (gotta have my music)

A bag of Orville Redenbacher popcorn (great for TV viewing)

A bag of bite size 3 Musketeers (candy, need I say more?)

A bag of Combo's - Cheddar Cheese Cracker (ummm)

Jelly Bellys (mix it with the popcorn)

Chocolate Covered Peeps (they aren't just for Easter anymore)

Mint Flavored Cocoa (because there is nothing better on a cold night)

The Rules

Open to US Residents Only.

To enter, just leave me a comment below, that says 'Cyn – I sent you a ballot' and then email,  that ballot, along with your answers to the tie breakers, to me at cynfullywonderful@gmail.com, along with your twitter name if you follow me, your Google+ name if you have me in a circle, and what your user name is if you are a follower of the blog.

 All ballots must be received by 4 p.m. CST on Sunday, September 18^th.

The winner will be notified via email on Monday, September 19^th.

The Points System

Each contestant will fill out the ballot below with their, 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place choice in each category. 

You will receive 5 points if your first place choice wins ; 3 points if your 2^nd choice wins; and 1 point if your 3^rd choice wins.

Extra Credit

You can earn one point of extra credit, by following me on Twitter  (@cyndic88)

You can earn one point of extra credit, by adding me to your circle on Google+

You can earn one point of extra credit, by become a follower (see right hand corner of this page)

** if you already following me on Twitter or have me in one of your circles on Google+ , or are a follower of the blog you will automatically receive those extra credit points (please let me know this in your email)

The Ballot  

 I've picked my 10 favorite categories…

Lead Actress in a Comedy Series                                                                                                                            

·         Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie                                                                               

·         Tina Fey, 30 Rock

·         Laura Linney, The Big C

·         Melissa McCarthy, Mike & Molly

·         Martha Plimpton, Raising Hope

·         Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation

Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

·         Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock

·         Louis C.K., Louis

·         Steve Carrell, The Office

·         Johnny Galecki, The Big Bang Theory

·         Matt LeBlanc, Episodes

·         Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory

Comedy Series

·         30 Rock

·         The Big Bang Theory

·         Glee

·         Modern Family

·         The Office

·         Parks and Recreation

Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

·         Julie Bowen, Modern Family

·         Jane Krakowski, 30 Rock

·         Jane Lynch, Glee

·         Sofia Vengara, Modern Family

·         Betty White, Hot in Cleveland

·         Kristen Wiig, Saturday Night Live

Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

·         Ty Burrell, Modern Family

·         Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men

·         Chris Colfer, Glee

·         Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Modern Family

·         Ed O'Neill, Modern Family

·         Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family

Guest Actress in a Comedy Series

·         Elizabeth Banks, 30 Rock

·         Kristin Chenowith, Glee

·         Tina Fey, Saturday Night Live

·         Dot-Marie Jones, Glee

·         Cloris Leachman, Raising Hope

·         Gwyneth Paltrow, Glee

Guest Actor in a Comedy Series

·         Will Arnett, 30 Rock

·         Matt Damon, 30 Rock

·         Idris Elba, The Big C

·         Zach Galifianakis, Saturday Night Live

·         Nathan Lane, Modern Family

·         Justin Timberlake, Saturday Night Live

Lead Actress in a Drama Series

·         Kathy Bates, Harry's Law

·         Connie Britton, Friday Night Lights

·         Mireille Enos, The Killing

·         Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order, SVU

·         Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife

·         Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men

Lead Actor in a Drama Series

·         Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire

·         Kyle Chandler, Friday Night Lights

·         Michael C. Hall, Dexter

·         Jon Hamm, Mad Men

·         Hugh Laurie, House

·         Timothy Olyphant, Justified

Drama Series

·         Boardwalk Empire

·         Dexter

·         Friday Night Lights

·         Game of Thrones

·         The Good Wife

·         Mad Men

Ok, there we go.  Just 3 more questions to go…

The Tie Breaker

Just in case we have a tie, please answer the following questions, one point will be awarded for each.   Please include these answers in the email with your ballot.

What nominee in the, Lead Actress in a Drama Series, category is the daughter of Jayne Mansfield?

What two nominees, one in, Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, and the other in, Guest Actor in a Comedy Series are married and have two young children?

This question, and this can be found on my website, Hubby and I have a precious kitty kat, what is his name?  Trust me this is all over the website, as he is a constant source of amusement for me.

So I hope that you think this is fun, that's really what I'm after here.  I will try to live tweet during the broadcast, but we have race tickets for Sunday, and who knows if we will make it home or not!

Later~
Cyn

Bacon 'Cheeseburger' Macaroni

I would like to thank my Hubby, and his unconditional love of all things bacon and cheesy, for the inspiration behind this dish.



What you will need:


1 lb. of ground sirloin or any type of ground meat
¼ cup of breadcrumbs, unseasoned
¼ cup of diced white onion
¼ cup of ketchup
2 eggs
¾ lb. uncooked macaroni
6 strips of bacon (any type) cooked
2 cups of milk
3 tbsp of butter
2 cups (one bag) of Kraft, Touch of Philly, Shredded Triple Cheddar Cheese

This is how to do it:

Set your oven to 375 degrees, while it heats up, put your meatballs together.

I start by covering a large baking sheet with aluminum foil (give it alittle spray down with some non-stick spray). Next, add your ground beef, breadcrumbs, onion, ketchup, and eggs to a medium size mixing bowl. After you have done that get out your kitchen scissors (Tip: if your bacon is too hot, wrap it in paper towel and work your way down) and snip up the pieces of bacon into your mixing bowl. It should look like this:

Mix is all up. Start forming balls out of the mixture. Because I was going to add this to a casserole, I made the meatballs alittle smaller than I normally do. Bake in the oven for 20 mins.

While the meatballs are in the oven, prepare your 9x12 casserole dish (give it alittle shot of non-stick spray too), and start boiling your water for macaroni. Once your water has begun to boil, add your macaroni, the next step is making your cheese sauce. Start by adding the 3 tbsp of butter to a 1 1/3 cups of your milk (reserve the rest, you will need it), over medium heat bring this to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and add 1 ½ cups of your shredded cheese, let that all melt together. Just be sure to keep an eye on this, and keep stirring it. This is what it should look like:

Once the meatballs come out of the oven, and your macaroni has been drained, it’s time to put it all together. Start by adding your macaroni, then your pour your cheese sauce over it.  Next, place your meatballs in the casserole.  Finally, top the casserole with the remaining cheese, reduce the heat in your oven to 350 and place the casserole back in the oven for around 20 minutes.

Next step, pull it out of the oven and Enjoy!

Hubby gave this the 2 thumbs up!  Let me know if you try and how you liked it!

Later~
Cyn

Just alittle Sunday Morning Pickin'

I was surprised last week when Hubby called me at work to tell me that he had found a place where we could go out in the field and pick our own veggies.  'Do you want to go on Sunday?' I was surprised because that is something that is so not on his list of fun ways to spend a Sunday.  He's more of an egg sandwich, what games are on, what time is the race kinda guy.  Luckily the race was on Saturday night which freed up Sunday for alittle fun.

Given the significance of today, I wasn't sure what we should really do.  So this morning, we got up early and watched a wonderful program on the History Channel called '102 Minutes that Changed America'  it is replaying tonight at 9:00 EST - and definitely worth a watch.  Then we headed out to do some picking.  

First of all the place was packed.  It was such a beautiful day that I guess everyone figured it would be nice to get out of the house and enjoy the day. 

First of all I'm not preggo, this was just taken from an extremely bad angle.  Secondly, Do you like my hat?  I was going for a Wheezier from 'Steel Magnolias' look.  I think that I achieved it. 

So it was kinda a bummer that they were out of beans, and the corn was pretty dried up and hard, but I guess that is what you get for going so late in the season.  Luckily, up the road (and on our way home) we stopped at another farm market (already picked), and were able to get some good corn, beans, and the best apple cider donuts.

This is some of the fruits (or veggies) of our labor.  The plan for this week, stuffed peppers and eggplant parm.  My mom sent home a ton of tomatoes with us last week, so I'll also be making some homemade sauce.

Guess I better get busy...

Later~
Cyn

'God Bless Saturday'

Well, this felt like the longest short week ever,didn't it?  So glad that it is Saturday morning, and I can finally sit on my sofa and watch alittle College Gameday, in preparation for a long day of college football, and a then a long night of racing.  Saturday is the big football day at my house, we watch on Sunday, but we prefer the boys on Saturday.  We had tickets for Ohio State game today, but gave them to my parents last weekend, we made the Ohio trip last weekend, and just couldn't do it two weeks in a row.

It was so nice this morning to open up the window and air out the house.  I love fall.  It is my favorite season, I love my sweatshirts and jeans, carmel apples, and the beautiful leaves.  It is wonderful.  It was such a long hot summer that I hope we get to enjoy a beautiful fall.  So far so good.

Since the weather has changed, it's time to start pulling out those great comfort food recipes, you know the pot roast and chili, casseroles, and pies.  You know all those things it was too hot to make (or turn your stove on for) this summer.

I'm doing alitte experimenting in the kitchen this weekend.  I'll share my results, which I think you are going to like, next week.

Later~
Cyn

It's beginning to look alot like....

Okay, so maybe it's not starting to look like Christmas, but this morning it was cold enough.  I'm one of those people that is never happy no matter what the weather is.  But, like it or not Christmas will be here before we know it.  So, I've decided it's time to start getting organized.   It seems like every year no matter how much I try to be organized I'm still wrapping presents in my Mom and Dad's bedroom as my sisters and their families arrive.  This year I vow it will be different.  I'm going to run Christmas (or at least the planning of it) like I would run any other project.

My first step was to create a binder (I love binders), and get started filling it with everything I'm going to need.  So far, these are the tabs I have:

• Crafts - projects I'm putting together, I would list them, but my family is super nosey
• Cookies - I filled this with the recipes, my Grandma's sugar cookies, the chocolate cherry cookies my husband likes.  I also make a list of all the places and people I need to take/send cookies to, this helps me get a handle on how many of each I need to make.
• Gifts - this is easy, I keep a spreadsheet on my computer and print out a updated list every couple of weeks as I mark things off.  I have alot of pages from magazines and catalogs in there right now, it's a great place to keep all those gift ideas.
• Cards - I have our address list in a spreadsheet, so I mark who is getting a homemade card, etc ; print it out and add it to the binder.  I also keep a column for each year, who I sent to, and who we received from, you don't send one 3 years in a row, you are off the list.  I also keep a mock-up of the card
• Shopping List - two lists, grocery, and gifts this section is complete with sizes for all the kiddos
• Packing List - we are never home for Christmas, so I start a list of things that need to be packed, I also start a big Rubbermaid container to add things to as they are ready to go.

This is one of last year's cards...

I know that I will need more, but honestly, that is all I could think of in September!

Later~
Cyn

Happy Labor Day!!

We had an awesome weekend.  Just what we needed, our little get away was the perfect end to a great summer.  The weather was kinda crazy, when we left Chicago on Friday, it was 99 degrees, and when we left Ohio this morning it was 60 degrees.

Below is a video of Max that I took before we left on Friday.  I took this with my new phone and I think it turned out pretty good.

Isn't he cute? 

Go enjoy the rest of your weekend..Have a great week!

Later~

Cyn